I have received calls from various executives over the past 30 years asking me to assist them in turning around failed projects or programs. Or assist in evaluating their PMO and aid in reshaping their teams into high-performing units.
My first consideration is the company’s culture, and the following are some indicators of a toxic work culture:
- High turnover rate- indicating that workers do not feel valued.
- Poor communication- when I sit down with team members and ask them to clarify their duties and responsibilities, I can tell if they are unclear or that their opinions do not coincide with those of management.
- Micromanagement- when employees feel smothered, or that management is excessively controlling, this is another indication of a bad workplace culture.
- Lack of work-life balance- can result in burnout and low job satisfaction when employees are required to work long hours, weekends, holidays etc..
- Blaming and shaming- when employees are constantly criticized or shamed for errors may experience a culture of fear and low morale.
Here are some quick fixes to boost team morale and win over their trust:
- Clear Communication- Have a RACI chart that is well-defined. Make sure everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
- Create a recognition program- give awards for different categories at the end of every sprint or when the team hits a major milestone. These categories may include work ethic, innovation, and teamwork.
- Provide resources required by employees to do their job, such as mentors, coaching, and training. The goal is to foster a healthy work environment where staff members feel valued and respected. When workers are treated unfairly or unequally, it can breed distrust and anger.
The objective is to create a positive atmosphere in the workplace, where employees feel valued and appreciated. Because if employees are treated unfairly or unequally, it can create a sense of resentment and mistrust.
Great post. These are things we often see ignored until morale has already suffered.
One thing I would add is shared vision/context. In my experience, ensuring team members understand the core objectives and how their role plays in that vision empowers them to achieve their high-performance potential. This also helps to drive a level of shared pride in the work we do as a team.
Hey Micah, Thanks for your comment. Yes, I totally agree that the team must understand the vision and how their role aligns with that vision. I posted another article that discusses the importance of leadership and vision.
https://www.cjdevgun.com/2023/03/14/the-role-of-leadership-in-shaping-culture/
I hope you will enjoy that article too.